A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF KOLNO

KOLNO, situated only a few miles from the old German (Prussian) border, was greatly influenced by German culture.  It was a small, rural shtetl with no manufacturing.  The general population were primarily farmers or agricultural workers.  The Jewish population were primarily merchants, traders,  and small-scale businessmen.  Because of its proximity to the border Kolno was also known for horse trading and smuggling.  Jews represented less than 10% of the population until the late 1800s and grew to a little over 50% by the end of WWI.
 
 
 
 
The center of Kolno suffered a catastrophic fire in 1932 which destroyed most Jewish communal buildings along with most of the town and town records.
 
Kolno was occupied by German troops during WWI, and Russian troops during the early days of WWII.  Within 2 months after Germany declared war on Russia, Kolno was Judenrein.
 
The only remnants of Jewish life in Kolno are a ruined cemetery and the shell of the House of Prayer.
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